Zoned Editions Staff Writer

Recent Stories by Angela Spencer

Keith McClanahan knows both the price and the reward of education. His parents did not graduate from high school and had a hard time getting back on their feet when his father became disabled, so at a young age, McClanahan knew that education was the key to changing his economic future. Now, in his role as provost and executive vice president of learning at Ozarka College in Melbourne, he said he hopes to open educational opportunities for students, regardless of their current economic status.

Some employees at Hancock Fabrics in Searcy said Melanie Joann Clark is the best boss for whom they have ever worked. Family members point out how generous and strong-willed she is. That is why the community has rallied around Clark to offer support in her time of need.

When treating children and teenagers for emotional or behavioral issues, it is important to have family nearby for support, as well as consistency with medical professionals. That is what makes Unity Health-Courage — a new inpatient adolescent behavioral-health clinic at Unity Health’s Specialty Care campus in Searcy — so important to the community, said Ron Wauters, Unity Health’s behavioral-health medical director.

Wilba Thompson said she and her husband, Bob, have occasionally thought about retirement, but they just have too much fun working.
Following a work history of sales experience, entrepreneurship and marketing, Thompson — along with her husband — currently works as co-director of the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center.

The heat is hitting Arkansans hard this summer. While many people have access to air conditioning, there are still residents who could experience heat-related illnesses as a result of the rising temperatures.

Monday morning, with the sun beating down, Thomas Fernandez and a group of volunteers gathered with paint brushes and ladders to start on a new mural on a wall of the Wilbur D. Mills Educational Services Cooperative building in Beebe. In a few hours, the red brick wall was painted white for a fresh background, and Fernandez said he would get started on the figures in the mural scene the following day.

With an original piece of art on the wall behind her desk and a miniature statue of Michelangelo’s David next to her computer, Carly Dahl is settling in as the new executive director of the Batesville Area Arts Council. Dahl has lived in Batesville for five years, and with this new job, she said she is excited to meet artists from around the region and make an impact for the arts.

One Arkansas city is known for its cardboard boat races. Another welcomes the Toad Master every year to celebrate the city’s history. Just north of Batesville, the Cave City Watermelon Festival marks the homecoming and pride of its namesake city.